Humidifying apparatus



lit:

Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to humidifying apparatus adapted to be associatedwith the standard radiator of the usual steam-heating system withoutmodification and functioning in combination therewith.

The principal object of the invention is the introduction of steam tothe self-induced air stream passing over the radiator for humidificationthereof and utilization of the heating medium within the radiator as thesource of steam.

Another and important object of the invention is the provision of ahumidifier, in association with a heating means, disposed with itsgreatest length normal to the direction of movement of the air streampassing over the heating means and thereby facilitating absorption ofsteam delivered to the air stream over the greater area thus affordedand whereby the humidifying steam is most readily absorbed with leastcondensation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a humidifieraffording an efiicient means for introducing steam from a heatingradiator into the air of the space to be heated in a manner to eliminatethe sound normally associated with the emission of steam.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of ahumidifier, utilizing steam as the means of humidification, having adiffusing chamber for the dissemination of the humidifying vapor andproviding means for evaporating any condensate collecting in thediffusing chamber into the air stream passing over the humidifier.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a humidifier,functioning in association with a steam radiator, including means forregulating the flow of steam from the radiator to the humidifying deviceand having means for preventing the entrance of moisture from theinterior walls of the radiator into the regulating valve.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will appear from aninspection of the following description read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view of aconventional steam radiator equipped with the humidifying device of thisinvention; I

Fig. 2 is an end-elevational view of the radiator illustrating thedisposition of the humidifier in the coils thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detailed, elevational View of the humidifier withparts broken away better to illustrate various constructional featuresof the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical, sectional view through the humidifier showing thedifiusing chamber and depending absorbent evaporating pad.

The theory of operation of this device is associated, to a large extent,with the natural circulation of air induced by heating, since, to in- 5troduce moisture into air with any great degree of rapidity, themoisture must be in the form of vapor in the gaseous state; and, forbest results and to facilitate the absorption thereof, the vapor shouldbe introduced into a stream of moving air as it is heated. Inconventional steam radiator heating systems, as the relatively cold airadjacent the floor comes in contact with the heating surfaces of theradiator, it expands as it is heated-causing a reduction in the weightof the air, 1 which rises and is replaced by other air, thus setting upa constant circulation thereof. As the air rises in continuous contactwith the surfaces of the radiator, the temperature thereof is furtherincreased and thus increases the velocity and sets up a comparativelyrapid circulation of air over the radiator in a vertical direction. Ifno moisture is added, the relative humidity of the air decreases as itis heated, and, for this reason, the air circulating over the radiatoras it nears the upper portion thereof is of low relative humidity andtherefore readily susceptible to the addition of humidifying vapor. Inthe present invention, full advantage is taken of these naturalconditions, which are utilized to the betterment and greater efficiencyof the arrangement as a whole.

In the drawing, l0 represents a steam-heated radiator having a source oflive steam H, the admission of which to the radiator is regulated by acontrol valve I2 which may be of the manually operated or fullyautomatic, thermostatically controlled type, if desired. The radiator 10is of any conventional type and is provided with a threaded opening l3into which a regulating valve I4 is secured and by means of which thehumidifier element i5 is adjusted to provide the degree ofhumidification. desired. The regulating valve is designed to admit onlysteam to the humidifier it as distinguished from condensed moistureaccumulating on the inner walls of the radiator. The valve M, where itis threaded into the radiator, is provided with a tube l6 extendingbeyond the inner surface of the radiator wall and terminating in anangular cutoff ll, whereby the liq- 5 uid condensate on the inside wallsof the radiator is prevented from entering the valve. Thus, only steamenters the valve l4 and is admitted to the humidifier in the quantitydesired by means of the. adjustable needle 18 controlling. the admis-.the tube 25 from valve sion port l9. The needle is threaded into thevalve, as at 20, by means of which it is advanced v and retracted toclose and open the port 19, respectively. Thumbholds 2| provide meansfor readily adjusting the needle valve l8 the amount required to providethe humidification desired, and packing gland 22, threaded onto thevalve housing l4, prevents the escape of steam at the point where theneedle valve enters the valve housing.

The horizontal portion l5 of the tube comprises the humidifying element,and the vertical portion 25 acts as a lead conducting the live steamfrom the regulating valve [4 to the humidifying element. The humidifierelement I5 is operatively connected to the valve M by means of the tube25 entering branch conduit 23 on the regulating valve where it issecured by means of packing gland 24 threaded onto the branch conduitand preventing escape of steam at that point. Any condensateaccumulating in the humidifying element will drain through the lead 25and valve I4 into the radiator ID, and for this reason the humidifyingelement 15 is sloped slightly to promote such drainage. The element I5enters a chamber 26 in the humidifier which serves the dual purpose ofsilencing the escaping steam and provides an expansion chamber therefor.The chamber 26 extends the full length of the humidifier, and theelement I5 is coextensive with the chamber 26 and secured in anypreferred manner-as by brazing or soldering, if desired. The humidifierI5 is provided with a series of spaced steam outlets 21, throughout itslength, in the chamber 26 and disposed to emit the steam in an upwarddirection perpendicularly to its length. The chamber 26 is also providedwith a series of steam outlets 28 also disposed to emit the steam in anupward direction and arranged in staggered relation to the tube outlets21 to preclude any possibility of jets of steam issuing from the outlets21 directly through the outlets 28 to the atmosphere. As the steamconducted through M to the humidifier escapes through openings 21 intothe larger area of the expansion chamber 26, its pressure is reducedand, at the same time, this expansion reduces the temperature, whichmaterially decreases the volume. This action, together with the reducedvelocity of the steam coupled with the construction of the chamber 26,eliminates the sound created by the release of steam under pressure. Thenumber of steam outlets 28 in the chamber 26 is in excess of the numberof outlets 21 in the steam humidifier l5, and this,

together with the fact that the area of the chamber 26 is considerablyin excess of that represented by the element l5, tends further to reducethe sound of the escaping steam. The outlets 28 actto difiuse theescaping steam to the rising air stream passing over the humidifierthroughout the length of the humidifier, whereby the steam is introducedto the air stream uniformly.

In prior devices, where the steam is introduced into the air stream atbut a single point in sufllcient quantity properly to humidify the air,only a small portion of the air passing over the radiator is affected,and, aside from the visibility 'andsound of the resultant steam jet, asaturated condition quickly occurs-causing condensation. For thisreason, in the present invention, steam is delivered to the air streamthrough a plurality "of outlets spaced horizontally to introduce thesteam to the atmosphere more uniformly and the total area of whichoutlets far exceeds that of the steam humidifier. The diffusion outlets28, in practice, are cold-punched to provide an inturned, annular edge29 depending into the chamber 26, which produces a labyrinth effectfurther to reduce the sound of the escaping steam and also prevents anycondensate which might form in the chamber 26 from reaching theatmosphere in a liquid state, since any moisture forming on theuppermost wall of the chamber 26, in which the outlets 28 are formed,will be entrained by the annular edges 29 and drain into an evaporatorprovided for the purpose and hereinafter described.

The expansion chamber 26 is comprised of an inverted channel-shapedframe member 3| between the depending flanges of which the element l6extends and which, in itself, forms the lower extremity of the chamber,and the perforated web of the channel forms the top. Enough clearance isprovided at the sides of the element l5, between the respective channelflanges and the element, to permit passage of any condensate forming inthe expansion chamber. The frame member 3| is complemented at each endby depending channel-shaped frame members 33 which may be integral withthe member 3|, if desired, but, as shown, are separate for convenienceof the particular assembly. Between the flanges of the channel members3| and 33 and beneath the expansion chamber, an evaporator 30, enclosedin a perforate envelope 32, is inserted and secured in any mannerdesired-as by closing the lower edges of the flanges on members 33and/or by soldering or brazing. While a particular form of expansionchamber and evaporator construction has been described, it is notdesired to be limited to such specific arrangements, which may take manyforms; but the disposition of the evaporator beneath the expansionchamber in position to absorb and evaporate condensate, only, is thoughtto be original with the inventor.

The sole purpose of the evaporator 30 is to absorb condensate drainingfrom the expansion chamber 26 and evaporation thereof into the airstream passing thereover, and in order that such evaporation may occurprior to humidification of the air stream, the evaporator is disposedentirely below the level of the humidifying element. Evaporation isdependent upon the air stream wiping the surface of the evaporator 30,and by positioning the evaporator beneath the humidifier it is locatedin the air stream where the relative humidity is lowest and whereevaporation will most readily occur, and, while the evaporator is shownas extending the full length of the humidifier, the amount of moistureevaporated is slight and is not depended upon for humidification of theair. The absorbing element 30 of the evaporator is comprised of aplurality of thin, flat sheets of absorbent material compressed and heldin place by the perforate envelop 32 which, in the present instance, iscomposed of fine-mesh screen. It will be noted that the absorber 30 isexposed to the atmosphere through the envelop 32 all the way to itslower extremity, whereby its full area is available for the evaporationof moisture collecting therein and by means of which the accumulation ofliquid in'a bottom frame member is avoided.

The entire assembly is light in weight and economical to manufacture andis readily installed for use. In actual practice, the regulating valvell tak'esthe placeof theusual air cock found onthe conventional steamradiator, and the tube 25 extends upwardly from-the regulating valve andhorizontally to the humidifier which is placed between the coils of theradiator, as best shown in Fig. 2, where it is concealed from view, asbest illustrated in Fig. 1. The humidifier may be located on theradiator anywhere desired, but performs best when located near the upperportion of the radiator where it obtains the greatest benefit of therising stream of air and where such air is of the lowest relativehumidity. Since the humidifier obtains its supply of steam directly fromthe radiator with whichit is associated, it will be seen that itsoperation will depend upon operation of the radiator and will functiononly when the radiator is operating to evaporate any condensate thatmight form.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided ahumidifying device in which steam, as distinguished from liquid, isutilized as the humidifying element and in which the steam is introducedinto the air uniformly without the sound usually associated withescaping steam and having means for evaporating condensate and means forregulating humidification to the degree desired-all in a device that maybe concealed in a steam radiator, from which it obtains its supply ofhumidifying steam, and located in the most advantageous position forbest results.

What is claimed is:

l. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, m ans for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiator comprising a hurnidifyingelement'mo-unted in the circulating air, means operatively connectingsaid humidifying element with the radiator to obtain steam forhumidification comprising a valve communicating with the interior of theradiator and a lead conducting live steam from said valve to thehumidifying element, said valve having means extending into the radiatorfor taking live steam and excluding condensate, control means in saidvalve for regulating the flow of steam through said lead to thehumidifying element,,said humidifying element having one or mor outletsopening into an'expansion chamber silencing the sound of the steamescaping through such outlets, said expansionchamber being provided witha plurality of outlets opening to the atmosphere and disposed instaggered relationship to said humidifier outlets, and means disposedbelow said expansion chamber and the humidifying element for evaporatingcondensate accumulating in said expansion chamber.

2. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, means for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiatcr comprising a humidifying elementmounted in the circulating air, means operatively connecting saidhumidifying element with the radiator to obtain steam for humidificationcomprising a valve communicating with the interior of the radiator and alead conducting live steam from said valve to the humidiiying element,said valve having means extending into the radiator for taking livesteam and excluding condensate, control means in said valve forregulating. the flow of steam through said leadto the humidifying'element, said, humidifying. element. having one or more outlets openinginto an expansion chamber silencing the sound of the steam escapingthrough such outlets, said xpansion chamber being provided with aplurality of outlets opening to the atmosphere and disposed in staggeredrelationship to said humidifier outlets, and means disposed below saidexpansion chamber for evaporating condensate accumulating thereincomprising an absorber into which the condensate drains and adapted tobe evaporated by the air circulating over th surface of the absorber.

3. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, means for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiator comprising a humidifying elementmounted in the circulating air, means operatively connecting saidhumidifying element with the radiator to obtain steam for humidificationcomprising a valve communicating with the interior of the radiator and alead conducting live steam from said valv to the humidifying element,control means in said valve for regulating the flow of steam throughsaid lead to the hmnidifying element, said humidifying element havingone or more outlets opening into an expansion chamber silencing thesound of the steam escaping through such outlets, said expansionchamber. being provided with a plurality of outlets opening to theatmosphere and disposed in staggered relationship to said humidifieroutlets, and means disposed below said expansion chamber and thehumidifying element for evaporating condensate accumulating in saidexpansion chamber.

4. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, means for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiator comprising a humidifying elementmounted in the circulating air, means operatively connecting saidhumidifying element with the radiator to obtain steam for humidificationcomprising a valve communicating with the interior of the radiator and alead conducting live steam from said valve to the humidifying element,control means in said valve for regulating the flow of steam throughsaid lead to the humidifying element, said humidifying element havingone or more outlets opening into an expansion chamber silencing thesound of the steam escaping through such outlets, said expansion chamberbeing provided with a plurality of outlets opening to the atmosphere anddisposed in staggered relationship to said humidifier outlets, and meansdisposed below said expansion chamber for evaporating condensateaccumulating therein comprising an absorber into which the condensatedrains and adapted to be evaporated by the air circulating over thesurface of the absorber.

5. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, means for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiator comprising a humidifying elementmounted in the circulating air, means operatively connecting saidhumidifying element with the radiator to obtain steam for humidificationcomprising a valve communicating with the interior of the radiator and alead conducting live steam from said valve to the humidifying element,said humidifying element having one or more outlets.opening-intoanexpansion chamber silencing the sound of the steamescaping through such outlets, said expansion chamber being providedwith a plurality of outlets opening to the atmosphere and disposed instaggered relationship to said humidifier outlets, and means disposedbelow said expansion chamber and the humidifying element for evaporatingcondensate accumulating in said expansion chamber.

6. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, means for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiator comprising a humidifying elementmounted in the circulating air, means operatively connecting saidhumidifying element with the radiator to obtain steam for humidificationcomprising a valve communicating with the interior of the radiator and alead conducting live steam from said valve to the humidifying element,said humidifying element having one or more outlets opening into anexpansion chamber silencing the sound of the steam escaping through suchoutlets, said expansion chamber being provlded with a plurality ofoutlets opening to the atmosphere and disposed in staggered relationshipto said humidifier outlets, and means disposed below said expansionchamber for evaporating. condensate accumulating therein comprising anabsorber into which the condensate drains and adapted to be evaporatedby the air circulating over the surface of the absorber.

7. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, means for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air 'over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiator comprising a humidifier mounted in thecirculating air, means o-peratively connecting said humidifier with theradiator to obtain'stearn for humidification comprising a valvecommunicating with the interior of the radiator and means conductinglive steam from said valve to the humidifier, said humidifier comprisingan elongated element having one or more perpendicularly disposed outletsopening into an expansion chamber silencing the sound of the steamescaping through such outlets, said expansion chamber being open to theatmosphere, and means disposed below said expansion chamber and thehumidifying element for evaporating condensate accumulating in saidexpansion chamber.

8. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, means for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiator comprising a humidifier mounted in thecirculating air, means operatively connecting said humidifier with theradiator to obtain steam for humidification comprising a valvecommunicating with the interior of the radiator and means conductinglive steam from said valve to the humidifier, said humidifier comprisingan elongated element having one or more perpendicularly disposed outletsopening into an expansion chamber silencing the sound of the steamescaping through such outlets, said expansion chamber being open to theatmosphere, and means disposed below said expansion chamber forevaporating condensate accumulating therein comprising an absorber intowhich the condensate drains and adapted to be evaporated by the aircirculating over the surface of the absorber.

9. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, humidification meansmounted on the radiator comprising a humidifying element operativelyconnected with the interior of the radi-,

ator, said humidifying element opening into an expansion chamber, saidexpansion chamber being open to the atmosphere, and means below theexpansion chamber for collecting condensate from said chamber, saidmeans being combined with said humidifying element and the expansionchamber.

10. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, humidification meansmounted on the radiator comprising a horizontally disposed humidifyingelement operatively connected with the interior of the radiator, saidhumidifying element opening vertically into an expansion chamberdisposed horizontally, said expansion chamber having one or morevertically disposed openings to the atmosphere, and means disposedbeneath and in direct association with the expansion chamber forevaporating condensate accumulating therein.

11. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, humidification meansmounted on the radiator comprising a horizontally disposed humidifiyingelement operatively connected with the interior of the radiator, aregulating valve between the humidifying element and radiator forcontrolling operation of said element, said humidifying element openingvertically into an expansion chamber disposed horizontally, saidexpansion chamber having one or more vertically disposed openings to theatmosphere, and means disposed beneath and in direct association withthe expansion chamber for evaporating condensate accumulating therein.

12. A steam-operated humidifying apparatus comprising a humidifierconnected with a source of steam and discharging steam into an expansionchamber having communication with the atmosphere, and means forwithdrawing condensate from said expansion chamber comprising anabsorbent element disposed in direct association with said chamber andadapted to evaporate the condensate withdrawn therefrom.

13. A steam-operated humidifying apparatus comprising a humidifierconnected with a source of steam and discharging steam into an expansionchamber having communication with the atmosphere, means for controllingthe admission of steam to said expansion chamber, and means forwithdrawing condensate from said expansion chamber comprising anabsorbent element disposed in direct association with said chamber andadapted to evaporate the condensate withdrawn therefrom.

14. A humidifying apparatus including a radiator, means for supplyingsaid radiator with live steam to heat the same and thereby set up anatural circulation of air over the radiator, means for humidifying theair circulating over the radiator comprising a humidifying elementmounted in the circulating air, means operatively connecting saidhumidifying element with the radiator to obtain steam for humidificationincluding a valve communicating with the interior of the radiator andconducting live steam to the humidifying element, saidhumidifying'element having one or more outlets opening into an expansionchamber silencing the sound of the steam escaping through such outlets,said expansion chamber being provided with one or more outlets openingto the atmosphere, and means directly associated with and disposed belowsaid expansion chamber and the humidifying element for evaporatingcondensate accumulating in said expansion chamber.

15. A humidifying apparatus comprising a humidifier direct-connectedwith a steam source and discharging steam directly into an expansionchamber having direct communication with the atmosphere, means forregulating the admission of steam to said humidifier, and an absorberfor collecting condensate disposed in direct association with saidchamber and said steam source so as to be heated by said steam sourceJOHN P. MILAR.

